Tag: Jade Cargill

WWE Royal Rumble 2024: Predictions for every match

Here’s who Vaughn Johnson thinks will emerge victorious at WWE Royal Rumble this Saturday.

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It is fitting that the Royal Rumble landed on the same weekend as the NFL’s conference championship games, as I have personally always viewed the near 40-year-old event as WWE’s version of AFC and NFC title games.

The NFL boasts two of the most intriguing title game matchups in recent memory, and the same could be said for the Royal Rumble, which features a pair of Rumble matches that feel like they carry more weight than usual.

Add in the fact that WrestleMania is two nights and features two main events, and it opens up the possibilities of what the road to WrestleMania could entail.

But there is Royal Rumble business to tend to first …

The biggest professional wrestling stories of 2023: CM Punk, TKO and more

From WWE to AEW and beyond, here were the things that stood out most in an eventful year in pro wrestling.

Take a deep breath, wrestling fans. The year 2023 is almost over.

It is understandable if you haven’t done that a whole lot over the last 12 months, as the industry has not provided many opportunities to take in a soothing sigh of relief.

There were many ups, quite a few downs, but all in all, 2023 was a banner year for professional wrestling that in hindsight will be fondly remembered as one of the most impactful in the history of the industry.

But before we look ahead to 2024, let’s take one last look back on the year’s biggest stories in professional wrestling.

Jade Cargill on WWE in-ring debut: ‘Everybody should be patient’

Jade Cargill says she’s ready to be in a WWE ring now, but believes in the system and doesn’t want to rush things.

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When WWE signed Jade Cargill in September, the company made the former AEW star seem like a big deal. It was hard to find anyone who wondered why, because Cargill has proven during her short time in the pro wrestling business (she’s only been wrestling for a tad over three years) that she has the look, charisma and “it” factor that are so hard to find as a package deal.

Since then, Cargill has made several appearances on WWE programming, and she’s been training at the Performance Center. But she’s yet to have a match, either on NXT or the main roster, which has left fans anxious about when she may make her debut.

In an interview with The Dallas Morning News, Cargill said that while she feels she’s ring ready now, everyone should just chill and let things unfold naturally.

So, listen, I think the fan base should be patient. I think they need to understand we’re making a diamond. We’re creating something that’s gonna be a legacy. We’re creating something that’s going to create echoes and waves throughout not just the wrestling culture, but pop culture and beyond. They’re setting me up for success, you shouldn’t rush success.

And when she does hit the scene, she suggested that it will be pedal to the metal from that point on.

I trust them. I believe in this system. And when they see me in that ring, understand, there’s no turning back. [WWE]’s believing in everything I’m doing, given me everything that I could fathom. And I’m going to be ready. I’m already ready. But again, it’s on my time, and everybody should be patient. And when I come, just understand I’m taking over.

One potential spot for a debut would be in the Royal Rumble next month in Florida. Some oddsmakers believe it’s a definite possibility, as Cargill is currently tied for the second-best odds to win the Women’s Rumble match with Liv Morgan on Betfair.

WWE Raw results 10/16/23: Brotherly betrayal as Jimmy Uso costs Jey gold

Also, see how Gunther overcame the literally biggest challenge to date for his WWE Intercontinental Championship on the season premiere of WWE Raw.

Sometimes you just have to give a dominant champion the most intimidating possible physical challenge you can. That’s exactly what Gunther is getting tonight on the season premiere (wink, wink) of WWE Raw in Oklahoma City.

The Ring General has fended off all kinds of challengers during his record-setting reign as Intercontinental Champion. Perhaps the only kind of opponent he hasn’t faced is someone who can not only stand toe to toe with him, but actually overpower him and toss him around.

Bronson Reed can do that. And while no one is probably expecting the big man to win the title tonight, stranger things have happened.

We’ll also see The Judgment Day try to reclaim their tag team gold from the gentlemen who beat them for it, Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso. While perhaps a bit of an unusual pairing at first, Rhodes and Uso have proven to be an effective team, even beating former titleholders Kevin Owens (now off to SmackDown) and Sami Zayn to prove they belong.

Of course, Damian Priest and Finn Balor may be even more motivated than the Canadian duo, since they want not just personal redemption but some manner of internal group peace as well. Would a victory stop some of the infighting in The Judgment Day? It sure wouldn’t hurt.

We’ll also see Shinsuke Nakamura and Ricochet battle in a Falls Count Anywhere match, as well as what should be an absolute collision between Rhea Ripley and Shayna Baszler.

Let’s jump in, because it’s season premiere time.

WWE Raw season premiere results from Oklahoma City:

(please scroll down for full details on any match or in-ring segment in bold)

  • Sami Zayn flies without Kevin Owens … but not alone, as Jey Uso helps prevent him from getting rushed by The Judgment Day
  • Shinsuke Nakamura delivers a message to Ricochet before their Falls Count Anywhere match comparing him to a bug he’ll squash on the floor
  • Walking backstage, Zayn is approached by Uso, who wants to know if they’re good, but Sami admits that he’s struggling with the Jey only being there because KO is gone; Jey says he didn’t know Sami felt like that but says “it is what it is Uce,” and Zayn runs to offer an apology that is happily accepte
  • Shinsuke Nakamura def. Ricochet in a Falls Count Anywhere match
  • Chelsea Green and Tegan Nox exchange insults … and Nikki Cross is there lurking in the background
  • A hype video is shown for Gunther ahead of his Intercontinental Championship later tonight
  • Piper Niven def. Natalya by pinfall, but finds Nox is able to prevent a post-match beating
  • Damian Priest wonders again if they should take out Drew McIntyre and questions Rhea Ripley for all the phone calls she’s been taking, but they all agree they’re about to handle their business tonight and the meeting of the whole team seems to end on a positive note
  • Seth Rollins is confused by Drew McIntyre, but they understand each other a little better after a pointed conversation
  • Video is shown of Logan Paul challenging Rey Mysterio after his most recent boxing match, as well as Rey’s response on YES
  • Ludwig Kaiser def. Johnny Gargano by pinfall
  • Becky Lynch likes Indi Hartwell’s suggestion that they compete for the NXT Championship Indi never lost, then turns and finds herself face to face with Ripley
  • McIntyre tells Zayn he respects what he’s done as of late, and Sami appreciates that … but he isn’t fond at all about Sami forgiving Jey, and while it becomes clear they aren’t going to agree on this topic, they do agree to work out some of their differences in the ring next week
  • Rhea Ripley vs. Shayna Baszler goes to no contest after Nia Jax, Raquel Rodriguez and Zoey Stark all crash the match
  • Lynch convinces Adam Pearce to make the match with Hartwell, and Xia Li wants a shot too … on her time; Jade Cargill also arrives, and Lynch tells her to get in line
  • Uso and Cody Rhodes are feeling good about their title defense tonight, YEET
  • Gunther def. Bronson Reed by pinfall to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship
  • The Miz is irritated to have to wait until the third hour to get on the season premiere, suggesting that Pearce should be fired and that Nick Aldis should take over as GM of both shows; Jax steals the mic from him and says everyone has hit her with their best shot, but she’s still standing and is the one who does the squashing
  • Ripley is mad that Pearce hasn’t controlled her division, but he’s taking no crap, so he books Rhea in a Fatal Five-Way at Crown Jewel, which she isn’t happy about; Indus Sher stops by at the end and says they need to talk
  • Alpha Academy is busy training (as well as Akira Tozawa), but The New Day isn’t pleases about tag team championship talk that doesn’t include them, and they agree to battle it out next week before everyone gets dazed by Tozawa’s moves
  • Gunther is happy that Kaiser won but says Vinci will need to make sure Gargano is stretchered out when he faces him next week
  • The Judgment Day (Damian Priest and Finn Balor) def. Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso by pinfall to become the new Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions after Jimmy Uso arrives to superkick Jey at a key moment in the match

WWE SmackDown results 10/13/23: Roman Reigns returns, Triple H names new General Managers

Roman Reigns’ return, the trade pick being revealed, and a Triple H announcement headlined this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown.

WWE never takes a break, though the Oct. 13 episode of SmackDown has been dubbed the “season premiere” of the show. Two big appearances have been announced in advance, making it anything but an ordinary show.

Triple H will make an appearance during the show, likely to announce something meaningful as he did when he announced the WWE Draft earlier this year. We can only speculate what he has in store, but whatever it is, will it impact the upcoming busy month that includes Crown Jewel and Survivor Series?

Going one step further, Roman Reigns, the long-lost Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, will grace the blue brand for the first time in two months. The Bloodline has experienced plenty since his last appearance, including Jey Uso’s defection to Raw and Jimmy Uso’s return to the group following a dramatic breakup.

The Tribal Chief will surely have plenty to say as Crown Jewel approaches, and his title could be challenged by a fresh face. A few weeks ago, LA Knight dropped Reigns’ name as someone he’s chasing, which might hint at what’s to come.

Following his momentous NXT appearance, John Cena will be present. Does he have something to say about Tuesday night, or what happened at Fastlane?

Let’s see what the night has in store, and if the build to Crown Jewel continues.

WWE SmackDown results from Tulsa:

(please scroll down for full details on any match or segment in bold)

  • Roman Reigns returns to interrupt John Cena, who welcomes LA Knight as the next deserving challenger to Reigns’ Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
  • Pretty Deadly def. The Brawling Brutes by pinfall
  • A video package shows Carlito’s return at Fastlane.
  • Carlito says the only word to describe his return is “cool.” Bobby Lashley interrupts to welcome him back and references their past. But when Carlito asks for a match, The Street Profits attack him from behind.
  • While everyone tends to Carlito backstage, Bayley and Zelina Vega have a heated back-and-forth that leads to Adam Pearce granting them a match.
  • Roman Reigns says all that matters is the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship, and calls Jey Uso holding the tag titles with Cody Rhodes a disgrace and a slap in the face.
  • A highlight package shows IYO SKY retaining her WWE Women’s Championship at Fastlane.
  • Bayley def. IYO SKY via pinfall
  • Triple H announces Adam Pearce as the new Raw General Manager, but he names before SmackDown’s General Manager, Dominik Mysterio interrupts to complain about Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes defending their titles before they face Judgment Day. Triple H tells Mysterio to direct his complaints to SmackDown’s new General Manager, Nick Aldis, who immediately welcomes Kevin Owens as the blue brand’s newest superstar.
  • Reigns is upset with there being many people he doesn’t like now on SmackDown.
  • A video package plays for Dragon Lee.
  • Chelsea Green and Piper Niven tell Aldis to do something about their tag team titles being cursed. But Aldis says he has a meeting with Charlotte Flair. He tells Charlotte he saw what happened at Fastlane, and that she’ll go head-to-head with IYO SKY for the WWE Women’s Championship next week.
  • When Charlotte turns to leave, Jade Cargill meets her face-to-face with Triple H. Flair says to save the intro because she knows who Cargill is.
  • Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso def. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller to retain the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship by pinfall
  • LA Knight def. Solo Sikoa by pinfall

John Cena welcomes LA Knight as Roman Reigns’ next challenger

With a raucous reaction, the fans are more than ready for “The Greatest of All Time” in Tulsa. He welcomes everyone to the season premiere of SmackDown, but Roman Reigns wastes no time, interrupting Cena, with Paul Heyman and his recolored hair and Solo Sikoa, to make his first WWE appearance in two months.

Reigns orders Cena to open “his show” properly and tells Tulsa to acknowledge him as a Tribal Chief. Reigns doubts Cena’s presence, claiming he only returned because Reigns is gone and questions Cena’s “Greatest of All Time” moniker. Reigns then proclaims himself to be “that guy” and warns Cena to leave or he will make him leave.

Cena hypes up being in the same ring as Reigns and acknowledges him. Despite not challenging Reigns tonight as he hasn’t earned it, Cena suggests someone who has and the crowd erupts for LA Knight’s music.

Knight rattles off a bunch of things about Reigns, questioning if a defending champion sits at home. Reigns tries to put Knight down, but when he retorts, Jimmy Uso attacks Knight from behind. However, Uso gets quickly disposed of. Knight then stares down Reigns and Sikoa, causing them to retreat, but not before Knight challenges Sikoa to a match for tonight.

Elton Prince returns with a victory

After months sidelined due to injury, Elton Prince is back in action with Kit Wilson.

Butch targets Prince’s rehabilitated shoulder immediately as he and Wilson struggle to get ahead on the Brawling Brutes, while also taking simultaneous punches to the chest to dampen the early stages of their return.

Returning from the commercial break, Wilson maintains control of Butch while Prince tags in to lay some punches on the former Pete Dunne.

A dropkick connects on both members of Pretty Deadly, allowing Ridge Holland to make the hot tag and lay body slams on Prince and Wilson. As Prince goes to the top rope, Holland picks up the formerly injured member of the tag team and slams him for a near-fall.

Prince feigns a knee injury, fooling the referee, while Wilson takes advantage and kicks Holland in the face. Prince quickly rolls a stunned Holland for the pin.

Zelina Vega falls to the numbers game

Zelina Vega gets the most of Bayley early, but after she attempts an Irish whip, Bayley clotheslines her to take control and nearly gets a pinfall after a leg drop.

As Bayley tries a Bayley-to-Belly, Vega counters and hits a 619 in tribute to Rey Mysterio. She hits a meteora for a near-fall, but IYO SKY distracts Vega, allowing Bayley to hit a Rose Plant for the win.

Charlotte Flair, running in heels, rushes down to make the save as Bayley and IYO SKY attack Vega after the match.

Triple H names Raw and SmackDown’s new General Managers

It’s a welcome sight when The Game arrives, but already in the ring is Adam Pearce, which is unusual. Triple H praises the crowd and says Crown Jewel and Survivor series are near, and the build all begins on the season premiere.

Triple H heaps praise on Adam Pearce, an unsung hero of WWE, and gives him an ovation while acknowledging his in-ring work too. He thanks Pearce for overseeing both Raw and SmackDown, a difficult job to do solo.

Dominik Mysterio interrupts Triple H’s announcement of SmackDown’s head honcho to say Fastlane wasn’t successful, but the boos drown out his words as Pearce gets promoted to general manager of Raw.

Triple H laughs at how loud the crowd is, but he acknowledges Mysterio’s words before telling him to direct his complaints to the new SmackDown general manager, Nick Aldis.

Aldis welcomes SmackDown’s newest superstar, Kevin Owens, as part of the deal that sent Jey Uso to Raw. Immediately, Owens enters the ring and hits a stunner on Mysterio, and Aldis holds his hand high to close the segment.

Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso remain successful fighting champions

Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso are making their second title defense of the week, and if they win, it’ll be three matches with the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship on the line with Monday’s match against The Judgment Day.

Austin Theory and Grayson Waller, a recently formed tag team, answered an open challenger for this match, which is also their first title bout together.

Rhodes attempts an early Figure Four on Theory, but fails to lock it in, prompting Waller to tag in. Uso tags in and hits a few moves, but when he doesn’t spot Theory tagging in, the match takes a turn in the heels’ favor.

With Theory still in control, Uso tries fighting back, but an elbow from Waller from the second rope draws a near-fall.

Uso makes the hot tag to Rhodes, who hits a powerslam on Theory and a disaster kick. He takes Waller out of the equation, but it allows Theory to take advantage briefly.

Uso superkicks Theory, which sets up their Cody 1-Day move. The American Nightmare then hits Cross-Rhodes for the win to retain the tag titles.

Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa confront Jey and Rhodes after the match, with Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman not far behind. Reigns and Rhodes stare each other down before Nick Aldis breaks it up.

LA Knight topples Solo Sikoa, but Roman Reigns has something to say

As a potential match with Reigns brews, LA Knight must first conquer Sikoa.

The Bloodline’s muscle takes immediate control, but Knight counters the early offense with a neckbreaker for a quick kickout.

Knight fails to pick up Sikoa, who hits a nasty chop in the corner, but gets knocked out of the ring and brought to the ringside barricade. When Knight tries a suplex from the apron to the mat at ringside, Solo blocks it and shoves Knight into the ring post.

Knight breaks a hold from Sikoa, but when attempting to pick him up again, Sikoa drops an elbow and a belly-to-belly suplex to nearly score a pin.

Working his way back, Knight hits a bulldog from the second rope to get a two-count. But Sikoa fires back with a Samoan drop.

Missing Knight and going head-first into the turnbuckle throws Sikoa off his game and allows Knight to work his comeback, including a running knee. A sharp powerslam takes Sikoa down, but Jimmy Uso runs in to distract Knight.

However, John Cena saves Knight and hits an AA on Jimmy, but he takes a Samoan spike for his troubles. It’s enough for Knight to hit a BFT for the win.

Roman Reigns comes from out of nowhere to spear Knight. He holds the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship high to close SmackDown.

WWE Fastlane 2023 results: Seth Rollins survives, plus new tag team champs

Seth Rollins and IYO SKY foiled strong title challenges, and WWE Fastlane was a bad night for The Judgment Day and The Bloodline.

Seth Rollins seems like he was made for the World Heavyweight Championship, priding himself on being a workhorse titleholder who defends the belt often and against all comers. But that’s only if his body can stand up to the grind, and Shinsuke Nakamura is going to try to show that it can’t tonight at WWE Fastlane in Indianapolis.

Nakamura has had one shot at the title already and come up short. But he has played Rollins masterfully over the past few weeks, essentially goading him into the stipulation he wanted: And he picked Last Man Standing.

WWE has done a nice job working Rollins’ real life back ailments into the narrative, creating a little doubt that he comes out of this with the championship. That’s perfect for a show like Fastlane, where fans wouldn’t normally expect a big title change.

A lot of attention is also on John Cena and LA Knight teaming up to face The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso (at least Jimmy says he’s in The Bloodline). It’s one of those past meets present moments WWE does so well, and while Knight certainly doesn’t need a rub from anyone right now, it can’t hurt to have a man WWE promotes as “The Greatest of All Time” paired with him for a high profile match like this.

With those bouts plus a men’s tag team title match on the card, the WWE Women’s Championship Triple Threat bout could be one that will steal the show. There are only five matches total that are expected for Fastlane, so it wouldn’t be completely shocking if something got added on the fly.

Let’s hit the gas and see where we end up.

WWE Fastlane 2023 results:

(click on any match with a link for full details)

Report: Jade Cargill scheduled to be at WWE Fastlane

WWE may or may not have Jade Cargill make her televised debut in Indianapolis, but she is expected to be on hand.

In late September, WWE announced the signing of Jade Cargill, who had been a homegrown AEW talent. She had reported to the Performance Center and recently teased that she knew which brand she would be on, but did not reveal where or when she would make her debut.

PW Insider reports that Cargill is set to be at WWE Fastlane on Saturday, Oct. 7. It remains unclear, however, if she will be on television at the event to officially debut.

Additionally, Cargill is “tentatively scheduled” to attend the Raw and SmackDown tapings next week, and the “early word” is that she will join the Raw brand.

Of course, plans could just call for Cargill to see how WWE premium live events and weekly shows work. She would get a chance to meet people and familiarize herself, just like anyone else starting a new job. If WWE wants, they can even have her appear for a crowd shot that creates some buzz and invests fans in wondering when she will become actively involved in storylines.

The juicier story would be Cargill making her actual WWE debut. During Monday’s episode of Raw, she tweeted, and if she does the same during SmackDown, it could further tease which brand she joins since she would be commenting during both shows.

Cargill, being relatively new to pro wrestling, has fresh matchups all over the place. Rhea Ripley, Raquel Rodriguez, Natalya, Becky Lynch and others on Raw could make for intriguing feud pairings right away. Depending on how she fares, facing either Lynch or Ripley offers the most intrigue, but for a bigger stage.

Whether or not Cargill’s WWE debut will happen within the next 1-2 weeks remains to be seen, but those anticipating it might not have to wait much longer if she’s backstage for more than a greeting at Fastlane, Raw and SmackDown.

[lawrence-related id=37533]

Adam Copeland, Jade Cargill signings are wins for everyone — especially fans

The moves that Jade Cargill and Adam Copeland made seem perfect for them and couldn’t have happened even five years ago.

Wrestling fans used to pray for times like this, to shine like this.

We used to yearn for the days of multiple viable wrestling promotions jostling for position in the marketplace, competing to land the biggest stars and creating unforgettable moments.

After the week that was in professional wrestling, that dream has become a reality.

Adam Copeland, the wrestler formerly known simply as Edge, made his AEW debut at the end of the promotion’s WrestleDream pay-per-view in Seattle after spending the last 25 years of his hall of fame career with WWE. 

Days earlier, former AEW TBS champ Jade Cargill officially became a member of WWE.

And while there are many debating which promotion won this very unofficial trade, at the end of the day, there is one true winner: the fans.

The fans win because both of the parties involved got exactly what they wanted, as did the promotions they have recently joined.

In the case of Edge, I wondered what more could he have possibly been looking to accomplish once his WWE contract expired at the end of the summer. He’s done it all, main evented all of the biggest shows, won all of the titles, and as I alluded to earlier, is already a member of the WWE Hall of Fame.

However, the Rated R Superstar himself took to Twitter after his AEW debut and set the record straight. In short: He wants to be a full-time performer, AEW gives him the opportunity to do that, and WWE does not.

Although Copeland is less than a month away from his 50th birthday and has already been forced to retire for nearly a decade due to a severe neck injury, he apparently has the itch to go full bore back into the wrestling industry.

[lawrence-related id=37432]

I understand his frustration. Not only is Copeland an accomplished wrestler, he is a prideful one. One that firmly believes he still has what it takes to hang with the best of the current generation.

On the flip side, I also understand why WWE did not offer him that opportunity. Because Edge is so accomplished, he’s an attraction. One way to keep said attraction special is by having them appear sparingly. WWE also wants to shine the spotlight on its younger talent and continue to build for the future. Making Edge a full-time performer could get in the way of that effort.

Copeland could easily take offense to that, but according to him, he doesn’t. Nor should he. Because now he gets to go to AEW and enjoy at least one more run as a full-time wrestler. It’s something Copeland has not attempted in more than a decade.

When it comes to Cargill, she went to the place that better suited her skill set. That is not to say AEW mishandled Cargill. The promotion bestowed a 60-match win streak upon her with virtually no wrestling experience. On top of that, she enjoyed some of the best entrances wrestling has to offer. 

Make no mistake about it, Cargill did quite well for herself in AEW. However, she believes that she can do even better in WWE. I, for one, agree.

And that is what makes this such a good time for wrestling fans. Five years ago, Edge would have been all but stuck in WWE, as there were no other major promotions for him to go and apply his trade. That is no longer the case in 2023.

Cargill tried out for WWE before her time in AEW and went unsigned. In years past, she’d either have to start wrestling for smaller promotions or basically look for another line of work. Instead, she went to AEW, learned the business, developed into a fully-formed act, and cashed in when the time was right.

Without multiple viable promotions, these situations could have either caused hard feelings or may not have even happened at all. 

But we don’t have to worry about that nightmare scenario. Instead, we can dare to dream.

[lawrence-related id=37442]

Jade Cargill calls Bianca Belair dream match a WrestleMania main event

Even freshly arrived in WWE, Jade Cargill already has her eyes on a WrestleMania main event against a top star.

On Tuesday, WWE officially confirmed the signing of Jade Cargill after weeks of speculation — a grand announcement that doesn’t usually happen for incoming talent. Long gone had been the days of Kevin Owens and Finn Balor pictured shaking Triple H’s hand inside the Full Sail Arena ring to confirm their WWE arrival.

Breaking the news of her arrival to WWE, ESPN interviewed Cargill before her first day at the Performance Center. When asked about dream opponents and a potential match against Bianca Belair, the 31-year-old did not shy from the time and place it should happen (h/t Fightful for transcription).

It’s definitely a WrestleMania main event. That is something that will have people glued to the television screen. Something that will have people buying out stadiums. That’s a dream match. People will show up and show out for that one.

Only two women’s matches have headlined WrestleMania, both in the last four years: Becky Lynch vs. Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 35, and Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair at WrestleMania 37. Belair and Cargill may have the chance to follow suit, but it all depends on how the first TBS Champion transitions to WWE, where it is believed she can reach her full star potential.

As for her immediate future, it’s unclear which brand Cargill will debut on — whether it be one of the main roster shows or NXT. She made it clear, however, that she knows where she’s headed, and people will have to wait to find out.

It has, and guess what, everybody is going to have to tune in to every network and see where I’m going. That’s what I’m here for. I’m here to stir the pot and get people guessing where I’m going to be. Just tune in.

If Cargill starts in NXT, the No Mercy premium live event is on Saturday, Sept. 30. Fastlane is only a week later, so there are plenty of opportunities for her to appear soon, although WWE can wait to debut its new signing whenever.

Cargill’s signing with WWE has been one of the most hyped in a long time, and the wrestling industry will be closely monitoring how she fares once she debuts. If all goes well, maybe fans see her in a WrestleMania main event sooner rather than later.

Seeing green: Jade Cargill has officially signed with WWE

WWE made the somewhat unusual move of officially announcing it had signed Jade Cargill, a signal that it sees big things for her.

WWE doesn’t make formal talent signing announcements on a regular basis, so when it does, that says something. It did just that today for Jade Cargill.

News of the signing of Cargill to a multi-year contract was first broken by ESPN. Though it’s unclear if the 31-year-old Florida native will go directly to the main roster or spend some time in NXT first (there have been rumors of the former), she is reporting to the WWE Performance Center today.

Cargill was a college basketball player for Jacksonville University who began training to wrestle just four years ago — ironically, after first attending a tryout at the WWE Performance Center. She debuted with AEW in November 2020 in an angle that involved Cody Rhodes and basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, and her first match on March 3, 2021 included both of them and Cody’s wife Brandi.

AEW showed tremendous faith in Cargill for someone so inexperienced, as she embarked on a lengthy winning streak that led to her capturing the AEW TBS Championship on Jan. 5, 2022. She retained that title (and her undefeated streak in singles matched) until May 8 of this year, when she was finally dethroned by Kris Statlander at Double or Nothing.

Cargill was off TV for several months before returning on an episode of Rampage earlier in September, when there were already reports circulating that she would be finishing up with AEW and potentially headed to WWE. She lost her rematch with Statlander on the Sept. 15 episode of Rampage in what has now become her final AEW match.

While she has the undeniable look and presence of a top star, Cargill can only benefit from working with some of the more experienced members of the WWE roster, and can inject some fresh matchups into the women’s division scene. Unlike Rhodes, who returned to WWE last year after spending years there in a previous stint, Cargill is notable as the first homegrown AEW talent to make the jump, and the wrestling world will be watching intently to see if she succeeds.

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